Carton-closing mechanism



0 G. l. HOHL CARTON CLOSING MECHANISM Filed May 13, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR.

Sept. 21 1926. 1,500,230

G. I. HOHL CARTON CLOSING MECHANISM Filed May 13, 1926 2 .iheets-Shet 2BY 8 W Z TTORNEYS.

clearly understood from the fOllOWlIlg. de-

stages oft-he operation of the mechanism, when functioning to'close theside tabs and;

Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE I. HOHL, OF N'EWPOR'JI RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO CARTONINGMACHIN- ERY CORPORATION, OF NEWPORT, RI'IODE ISLAND, A. CORPORATION OFNEW JER SEY.

' CARTON-CLOSING MECHANISM.

Application filed May 13, 1926.

This invention relates, generally, to im more particularly, toimprovements in those parts of such machines which function tomanipulate the side tabs and closure flaps to automatically move thesame into end closing relation to the carton body, and which at the sametime operate to insert the tuck-portions of the end closure flaps inoperative closed position.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel, cartonclosing mechanism which is of very simple construction, the number ofparts in which have been reduced to a minimum, and one which possesses anovel mode of operation adapting the same to high speed service, withoutdanger of mutilating or otherwise injuring the cartons; and to this endthe mechamsm con- J sists of rotatin means for accurately folding thetabs and flaps on theirpredetermined scored lines of bend, while movingthe same to closed position, with the tuck portions of the end closureflaps accurately presented and directed for insertion into the cartonbodies, together with timed meansfor finally thrusting said tuckportions into the carton bodies. c

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will be tailed description of the same.

The invent-ion is clearly illustrated in ,the accompanying drawings, inwh1ch:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the novel carton closing mechanism madeaccording to and embodying the principles of this inven; tion; Figure 2is an end. elevation of the same; Figures 3 to 8 inclus ve arerespectively side elevations illustrating var ous end closure flap andtucking the tuck portion of the latter relative to the end of a c rtoigur 9 is a tragme tary tra Serial No. 103,741v

verse section, taken .online 9-9 in Figure' i; and Figure 10 is adetail-perspective view of one of the rotary folding elements of themechanism. 7

Similar characters of reference are emiployed in all of thehereinabove'described views, to indicate corresponding parts. 7 i

The novel carton closing mechanism, which is the subject of thisinvention, is adapted to manipulate that type of commere cial carton orcontainer comprising a rectangular hollow body 1 having open oppositeends, at which are provided inwardly foldable side tabs 2 and afoldableclosure flap 3 having a tuck-portion 4 at its free end. Cartonsof this type are generally made of light card-board and furnished by themanufacturer to the user in collapsed or flat form, with the side tabs 2and closure flaps 3 pro jecting in unfolded condition from the re:spective ends of the carton body l. The operation of raising the body 1of the carton from initial flat or collapsed condition to properly setup or opened condition is frequently spoken of by users as-squaring thecarton, and is an operation which'must be performed before the side tabsand closure flaps can be closed at one end prior to filling the carton,and also closed at the opposite end. after filling the carton. In auto 3matic machines for setting up, filling and closing such cartons,devices'are provided for delivering the fiat cartons from a stackedsupply thereof and then squaring the same preparatory to closing one endthereof, 5 whereupon the squared carton is positioned relative to a taband flap closing and tucking mechanism. The instant invention,therefore, may be incorporated in an automatic machine of the kindmentioned, and stationed to operate first upon one end of the squaredcart-on preparatory to filling the same, and also stationed, if desired,tooperate upon the opposite or remaining end 01' the carton after thesame is filled.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the reference character 11indicates the deck plate of a machine from which is suitably supported acarton supporting plate 12,

carton closing mechanism. lVhen the carton is squared, suitablemechanism (not shown) registers the end thereof which 1s presented tothe carton closing mechanism, against a positioning stop 15 having achamfered nosing 16 to engage the end edge of the bottom side of saidcarton.

l/Vhen the squared carton is positioned as above'd-escribed, the cartonclosing meehanism, which is actuated by power transmission in suchmanner that its operations are properly synchronized or timed inrelation to the carton delivery and squaring operations, functions toclose the end'of the carton presented thereto.

The novel carton closing n'iechanisn'i, con prises the followingconstruction Mounted on the deck-plate 12 are a pair of spacedtip-standing bearing members 17 in which is journaled a rotary shaft 18adapted to be driven by any suit-able form of power transmissionmechanism. Fixed on said shaft 18 are a pair of rotating folders 19.These folders 19 are preferably of a segmental shape provided with apeculiar conformation at their outer peripheral portions or faces, toform at the forward portions, helical cam faces 20 progressivelychanging in plane from an initial inwardly and transversely inclinedangular plane to a plane parallel to the axis of rotation, whereby thefolders in rotating initially engage the outwardly projecting side tabs2.01. the carton 1, whereupon the helical can faces 20, as they moveagainst the same, gradually turn them inwardly and across the'open endof the carton. Rearwardly of said helical cam faces 20, the folders 19are provided with undercut outwardly projecting shoulders21l,

from the free edges of which extend rear-' wardly tucleiiap bendingfaces 22, which terminate in folder faces 23, the latter being disposedat the rearward? portions and being preferably concentric to the axis ofrotation of the folders 19. v

Said bearing members 17 are each provided with inwardly extendingsecondary bearing arms 24 which overhang the end of the carton 1 whenin. position to be acted upon bv the carton closing mechanism. Journaled in said secondary bearing arms 24 is a rock-- shaft 25 upon which arefixed oscillatable push-fingers 26, which, at proper times, function tocooperate with the end closure flap 3 and its bent and inwardly directedtuck-portion 1, to fold down the former across the end of the cartonwhile at the same time thrusting the latter into the carton body.

The means for producing properly timed oscillations of said push-fingers26 comprises the following devices. Pivoted by its lower end inconnection with a fulcrum block 27, which is suitably located andaffixed to said deck-plate 12, is a lever member 28. Fixed on an end ofsaid rock-shaft 25 is a crank arm 29, and interconnecting the upper freeend of said lever member 28 with said crank-arm 29 is a link 30. Fixedon the end of said'shaft 18, so as to be positioned adjacent to saidlever member 28, is a cammember 81 provided in its outer face with asuitablyshaped cam race-way 32. Secured to the sideand intermediate theends of said lever member 28 is a stud 33 which projects into said camrace-way 32, said stud 38 carrying an anti-friction roller 34. Said camrace-Way32 is so shaped that it will transmit, through the stud androller entered therein, to the lever member 28 an oscillatory movement,properly'timedrelative to the operative movements ofsaid folders 19,which is in turn transmitted, through the link 30, crank-arm 29 and rockshaft 25,'to the push-fingers 26, to thereby cause the latter tofunction in timed relation to said folders 19.

In operation, the above describedcarton closing mechanism functions asfollows By the time the squared carton 1 is positioned ready for the endclosing operations, the rotating shaft 18'has turned the folders 19 tothe positionsho'wn' in Figure 3, the direction of movement being thatindicated by the arrow in said Figure 3, so that the continued rotationof the shaft and folders turns and moves the operative portions of thelatter toward and into folding enga ement with'the projecting side tabs2 and closure fiap 3.; and during such'stage in the movement of saidfolders 19, the concentric portion of the cam race-way 32 is inengagement with the levermember 28, to hold the same in normal inactiveposition operative to position and retain the push-iingers 26 in normalinitial raised position, as is also shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.As the folders 19*move into operative relation to the sidet-abs 2,, thehelical cam faces 20 will engage, and begin to swing the same inwardlyand toward each other, while the end of the tuck-portion 1 of the endclosure flap 3 will be engaged by the shoulders 21 of the folders,whereby the closure flap 3 is first bent upwardly along the line of itsjuncture with the main body of the carton, thus breaking the grain ofthe paper at the line closing of the carton. First, the operations 7produce an initial back-bending on the scored line 'markingthe'junctionof the clo- 25 of bend to assure .a sharp angular fold when said closureflap 3 is swung. down to closed position, and at the same time thebending of-saidtuck-portion' downwardly and out of the plane ofts'aidclosure-flap 3 is in itiated; all of which is shown in Figure 4 of thedrawings; As the folders 19 continue to rotate, the closure flap "3risbent back and upwardly until it. is brought into abutting engagementwith the normally raised push-fingers 26', and in the vmeantime theunderfolding of said tuck-portion 4 continues, as the free end of-the'same springs out of engagement with the shoulder 21 and into engagementwith the bending faces 22 of the folders, all as shownxinFigure 5 of thedrawings. Attention may here becalled to two very desirable results,which are obitamed by the above described novel mode of. operationof'the folders, and which contributento the production of a perfect endsure flap 3"with the main body'of th'eicarton,

which, as above'mentioned', breaks or loosens the grain orv fiber of thepaper at the line of bend or fold so that all 1181151011 at such pointis relieved,.whereby when th'elfiap is swung back and downwardly intoclosed 'osition, not only will a neat and sharp :angu ar bend beproduced, but, the tension at the line of bend being relieved, alltendency of the flap 3 to spring outwardly from desired closed relationto the carton end, once it is so closed,

is eliminated. I I 7 As the folders 19 continue their rotation, theirbendingand folder faces 22 and 23'Wlll continue to press againstthefside tabs 2, so" I that the same are brought into finally closed andwill thus be supported in such position as to readily enter the cartoninterior, as the push-fingers 26 continue to turn down the closure flap3 ('seei' Fig'ure' 7), until finally the push-fingers 26 reach the endOfiIhBII R I p I rer, means adapted whrleiir passrngaian-g'atge- 7downward swinging stroke, which'operates m l t th inwardtthrustingofsaid tuck=portion 4 andr-tlreclosingl'oftheflap 3 erationsis-complete. iNow thefolde-rsfconf tinue their rotation; and the" cam;race way operates to return the flavor-member'- and,

Figure 8), whereupon the cycle of" op? through the interconnect-ions,th'epushefinger's- 26 to normal" initial positions, during I which:movements the" closed car'ton' is removed and. a new 1 cart-on to. be.closed is "brought into'operative relation to th'e c'lo'si'ng mechanism;4

It will be apparent that the novel c'onstruc'tl'on'fl and novelmod'e ofoperation involved in the described eartonclosing mechanism iscalculated to perform its carton closing fllIlCtlOllS. Wlth :ease,accuracy and rapidity; Since the'rfold'ers 19am arranged for continuousoperation, 's1r1ooth,nhigh speed service'i's easily attained with amini- 'mum of wear,- a nd consequently with-little likelihood ofdisarrangement of :parts or-"in 'terruptions' of -service from similarcausess While I- have stated that m'y n'ovel carton closing mechanism isespecially adapted for incorporation in automatic machines" for-settingup, filling andclosingcartons; it will beunderstood that it may also be"used in connection 1 I with machines of more limited service, and mayeven beflu'se'd as anfindeipendentunit for closin"'-ca'rtons otherwisehandled by hand or inin' ep'endent machines.

It .will be also understood that Various changes may be madein thegeneral construction and arrangement of parts, as well as in thedetailsrthereof,without departing from the principles'of this invention"within the scope of thei'clairns here follow-ing;-= and consequently Ido not limit ;m yself to: the exact combinations: and arrangementsofthevarious devices' and 'pa-rts'as' described in myself to'the vexactdetail of construction as shown in the accompanyingdrawings. I claim1 1. Ina carton closing mechanism,the'c0m'-" :blnatlOh wlthmeansito'supporta carton having" open sidetabs and an end: closure:flap' or means adapted while in passing engagement 't-herewith to' turninwardly and laterally .said side tabs',' bend' back said closures flap,and turn inwardly and :und'ervthexlatter its tuck-portion tos'upporti'and direct '.the same for entr'ance into. the carton; and

means synchronized with the. movement-of said. folders. adapted to swingx downward said closurewfiap into'closed position and sishaving openside tabs: and an end "closure: flap provided with a tuck-portion, ofrtary foldment therewith -1t0 turn inwardly aml'laterally;.-said.isidetabs, bend. back'lsaid; closure flap, .and turh inwardly and under the.latter its tuck porTti-on .to supportand directinthe5TsalIlB.for;Britta-nee, into; thevcart'ongi pirated .pushafingernieansadapted. to; swing{Edew:n

100 the foregoing specificatiom n'or do} confine provided with'a'tuckeportion; ofrotary foldward said closure flap into closedposition and simultaneously thrust the tuck-portion into said carton,cam means rotatable with said rotary folders, and means operated by saidcam means for actuating said push-finger means in timed relation to saidrotary folders. a g Y 3. In a carton closing mechanism, the combinationwith means to support a carton having open. side tabs'and anend closureflap provided with a'tuckportion, of rotary folders, a driven shaft uponwhich said folders are mounted, said; folders having helical cam facesat their peripheries to operatively engage andturn said side tabs,outwardly projecting shoulders at the rearward end of said cam facesadapted to operatively engage said closure flap and its tuck-portion andbending and folding faces rearward" of said shoulder; and meanssynchronized with the movementof said folders adapted to swing downwardsaid closure flap'into closed posir tion and simultaneously thrust itstuck-portion into saidcarton. u y

4:- In a carton closing mechanism, the .combinatlon with means tosupport a carton having open side tabs andan end closure flap providedwith a tuck portion, of rotary folders, a driven shaft upon whichsaidfolders are mounted, said folders having helical'cam faces at theirperipheries to op-' eratively engage and turn said side tabs, outwardlyprojecting shoulders at the rearward end of said cam faces adapted toop-- eratively engage said-closure flap and its tuck-portion, andbending and folding faces V rearward of said shoulder; pivoted pushfingers adapted to swing downward said closure flap into closedpositionand simultaneously thrust its tuck-portion into said carton, cammeans on said driven shaft, and

' .means operated bysai-d cam means for ac- J erativel'y'engage and turnsaid side tabs, outwardly projecting shoulders at'the 'rear-' ward endof said cam faces adapted to 013-- .tuating said push fingers intimedrelation to said foldersQ t 1 I 5. In a' -carto'n closing mechanism, thecombination withmeans to support a carton having open side tabs and anend closure Hap provided with a tuck portion, ofv rotary folders, adriven shaft upon which said folders are mounted, said foldershavinghelical cam faces at their peripheriesto operatively engage said closureflap and its tuck-portion, and bending and folding faces frearward ofsaid shoulder, push fingers adapted to swing downward said closure flapinto closed position and simultaneously thrust its tuck-portion intosaidcarton, a rock-shaft on which said push-fingers are mounted, acrank-arm on said rock-shaft, a

pivoted lever member, a'link interconnect ingthe free end offsaid levermember with 's-aid crank-arm, a cam provlded with a raceway mounted onsaid driven shaft, and

,means on said lever member operatively entered in said cam race-way, V

6. In a -mechanism for closing jv ,cartons having side tabs and endclosure flaps provided with tuck-portions, a rotary means havingperipheral portions shaped to turn the carton side tabs and additionalportions adapted'to engage the carton closure flap and its tuck portionto initially bend back ward said closure flap at its point of junctionwith the carton body and at the same time fold under the tuck portionthereof to direct the same toward the open end of, the carton.

7. In a mechanism for closing cartons having side tabs and end closureflaps provided with tuck portions, a rotary means having peripheralportions shaped to turn the carton side tabs and additional portionsadapted to engage the carton closure flap and its tuck portiontoinitially bend backward said closure flap at itsapoint of junctionwith the carton body and at the same time fold under the-tuck portionthereof to direct the same toward the open end of the 7 carton; andmeans synchronized with the operative movement of said rotary means toswing downward said closure flap into closed position and simultaneouslythrust its tuckportion into said carton. A

8. In a mechanism for closing cartons having side tabs and end closureflaps .provided with tuck portions, a continuously rotating shaft, meansrotated by said shaft having peripheral portions shaped to turn thecarton side tabs and additional portions adapted to. engage the cartonclosure flap and its tuck-portion to initially bend backward saidclosureflap at its'point of junctionwith the carton body and at the samei time fold under the tuck-portion thereof to directtheisame toward theopen end of the carton; push fingers'adapted to swing downward to closedposition said "closure flap in following relation to said rotary meansand simultaneously thrust said tuck-Q portion into, said carton,actuating means for said push fingers, and cam means on said rotatingshaft for; operating said actuating means. x

9. In a mechanism ,forclosing cartons having side tabs and end closureflaps provided with tuckrportions, a continuously r0 tating shaft,-means rotated by said shaft having peripheral portions shaped to turnthe carton side tabs and additional portions adapted to engage thecarton closure flap and its tuck-portion to initially bend backward saidclosure flap 'at-its point of junction with the carton body and at thesame time fold under the tuck-portion thereof to direct the same towardthe open end', of the cartons; push fingers adapted to swing downward toclosed position said closure rotating shaft, and means on' said levermember operatively entered in said cam 10 race-way.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 6th day of May 1926.

GEORGE I. HOHL.

